PULMONARY ABSCESS IN CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE DAVID BERNARDINO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL (ANGOLA): CASE STUDY (2018-2019) (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Lung abscesses are cavities in the lung parenchyma with necrotic lung tissue and fluid inside. Objective: To describe the characteristics of children admitted to the David Bernardino Pediatric Hospital with lung abscess from June 2018 to February 2019. Methodology: Prospective descriptive study carried out in 18 children and adolescents aged 2 months to 14 years, admitted to the David Bernardino Pediatric Hospital with pulmonary abscess confirmed by chest X-ray. Through a form, information on clinical processes and companions, the variables age, sex, nutritional status, vaccination, clinical manifestations, previous antibiotic therapy, underlying diseases, radiological findings, type of abscess, type and duration of treatment and complications were evaluated and analyzed. Results: The most affected age group was 5-9 years old, with 50% of cases. The most frequent symptom was fever (100%), followed by cough and dyspnea with 94.4 and 38.9% of cases, respectively. Malnutrition was present in 16.7% of the cases. 66.7% of the children presented a vaccination card, of which 44.4% had a complete vaccination schedule for their age. In 88.9% of the cases the abscesses were single, 66.7% secondary. and 94.4% were located in the right lung. Clindamycin and postural drainage was the treatment instituted in 100% of the cases. Pleural effusion and empyema were complications in 5.6 % of cases. The mean hospital stay was 19.7 days. 94.4% of children were discharged. Conclusion: Lung abscess is a rare complication of pneumonia in children and is often secondary to foreign body aspiration. Despite being severe, the prognosis is good.